fungi

Do you know that …

The mushrooms are living organisms, they are fungi…

The mushrooms, with the well-known umbrella-like shape, are only the part of the fungus that contains the spores for its reproduction; the rest of the fungus lives in the ground with the form of complex fibres…

Not all mushrooms are shaped like umbrellas: rather, they present a significant variety of shapes and colors…

The mushrooms are extremely important for both human and nature:

the fungi «embrace» the roots of shrubs and trees and form the mycorrhiza, a peculiar symbiotic relationship between the fungi and the plants, which makes the latter more resistant...

they contribute to nutrients recycling and make the soil fertile…

they also contain substances that are used in manufacturing medicines …

some of them are edible, and very delicious…

At least 150 different species of mushrooms have been recorded on Parnassos, some of which are rare. However, it is estimated that on our mountain there are many more species…

Despite their significance, the mushrooms are not protected by the law: so, it is up to us to care for them!

Let’s always keep in mind: Some mushrooms are poisonous, we must be sure that we are aware of what we collect!

Fall mushroom pictures taken byGonou Zagou Z.,Kouveli B.,SymiakakiA., Triantafyllou M.and TympasL.during the recording of macromycetes(mushrooms) of Parnassos, held by the FungalResearch Groupof the Departmentof Biology (National & Kapodistrian University of Athens)andtheParnassos National Park Management Body, funded by the Green Fund.

Springmushroom pictures taken byKonstantinidis G. andLazaruCh. during the recording of macromycetes (mushrooms) of Parnassos, funded by the Green Fund.